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Updated: Jun 11, 2025

A Fluorescent Screening Assay for Identifying Modulators of GIRK Channels
Published on: April 24, 2012
Cellular and metabolic function of GIRK1 potassium channels expressed by arcuate POMC and NPY/AgRP neurons
Yeeun Choi1, Eun-Seon Yoo1, Youjin Oh1
1Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, South Korea.
Abstract:
It is well known that the G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels are critical to maintain excitability of central neurons. GIRK channels consist of 4 subunits and GIRK1/GIRK2 heterotetramers are considered to be the neuronal prototype. We previously reported the metabolic significance of GIRK2 subunits expressed by the neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARH). However, the role of GIRK1 subunits expressed by the neurons of ARH remains to be determined. In this study, we delineated the contribution of GIRK1 channel subunits to the excitability of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and NPY/AgRP neurons of the ARH. We further assessed the metabolic function of GIRK1 subunits expressed by these neurons. Our results provide insight into how GIRK channels regulate arcuate POMC and NPY/AgRP neurons and shape metabolic phenotypes.
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